[coop223]

Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by coop223 on Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:29 pm

I self inject myself once every two weeks with Velcade.

It's a very simple process to do. The specialty pharmacy (Caremark) used by my insurance company sends me a 90 day supply for a $95 copay. The kit includes the needles, syringes, sodium chloride, and the 6 boxes of Velcade plus disposal box and alcohol pads.

To do the injection, I use one needle to draw 1.5 ml of sodium chloride, I then put the sodium chloride into the Velcade vial, and shake the solution till it is liquid and clear. I then change needles and draw 1 ml of the Velcade. Swab where I'm going to inject it, then give myself the shot under the skin.

I alternate sites every two weeks. Right side below belt button, then left side, then upper left thigh, then upper right thigh.

I've had no problems and my labs have been great. I do get a little rash at the injection site, but it goes away.

My doctor let me do this as it costs $253 out of pocket if the hospital does it (per shot) versus $15 per shot if I do it. Ask your doctor about self injection.

My doc had a nurse watch me do it the first time and I was good to go. I'm sure most of you have had to give yourself blood thinner shots, so why not do your own Velcade? It's less painful, simple, and way cheaper to do.

Moderator's Note: The above posting by Derek originally was made in this discussion thread:

"Why not use a pump to administer myeloma therapies?", Beacon forum discussion started August 14, 2014.

We thought the topic of Velcade self-injection was interesting enough in and of itself to move it, and some of the follow-up postings, to a thread of its own. This will also make it easier for people to find in the future when they are searching the forum.

[mikeb]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by mikeb on Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:57 am

Thanks for the additional information, Derek. Velcade self-injection sounds like it is working well for you! I had no idea it was something that would be considered. That's why I like The Beacon - I learn something new every day.

One more question for you, Derek - how often do you get CBC tests done?

Mike

[coop223]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by coop223 on Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:35 am

Once every two or three months. I've been doing the self injection for over a year.

[coop223]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by coop223 on Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:48 am

I live 300 miles round trip from USC's Keck Cancer Center. My doctor let's me have my CBC labs done in my hometown and then have the results faxed to my her. I go see her every 4 to 5 months as long as my labs are good.

It's nice to have a great doctor that takes costs of treatment into consideration in addition to my health and treatments. I'm blessed to have her.

[coop223]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by coop223 on Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:13 pm

To clarify something. The Velcade is a 90 day supply provided by Caremark, my federal Blue Cross / Blue Shield specialty pharmacy provider, so it is the real deal. It is delivered to my home after being ordered by my doctor.

Caremark always calls me after the doctor orders it and arranges a date for delivery to my home. The $95 for the 90 day supply is my co-pay.

[SusanMary]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by SusanMary on Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:26 pm

Derek, thank you for this most interesting information. I am in Australia and don't know if this procedure is allowed here, but for me, I have finished with Velcade for now.

However, I cannot imagine self injecting as an option for me. I recall back in 1997 after having high dose therapy the previous year that I was on interferon maintenance and was self injecting. I was almost a nervous wreck with worrying that I was mixing the ingredients correctly! (As I understand it, interferon is now provided ready for injection). At that time it was necessary to mix the contents of two vials, then draw up the prescribed dose for injection. I had no trouble with the actual injecting, but the mixing was a nightmare for pedantic me.

Full marks to you for discovering that self injecting is an option for you, and what a cost saving! It just proves, yet again, that unless you ask, you won't know. Medical information, it seems, is rarely volunteered. The onus seems to be always on the patient to know what questions to ask.

[Multibilly]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by Multibilly on Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:14 am

Derek,

Thanks for taking the time to share the details about your experience. This really does open up some potential options for me in the future.

Susan,

I think I would personally worry more about the nurse not getting the dose right than I would be about me not getting it right

[coop223]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by coop223 on Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:20 am

It's very simple. It works for me and if I have any side effects, my doctor gave me her personal cell phone number so I can get in touch with her anytime should I have an adverse reaction to the Velcade.

Good doctor and patient relationship plus communication is the key to successfully doing self injection.

[tpt]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by tpt on Sat Aug 23, 2014 7:44 am

Hi coop,

As far as I know, Velcade comes in 3.5 mg vials. Is this the case too in the States? (I live in Asia.)

I suppose you dilute the Velcade into 1.5mL solution and take 1.0mL of the solution. So assuming it comes in 3.5 mg vials, does it mean your dose is approximately 2.3 mg? How much do you weigh?

Thank you!

[Terrij]

Re: Self-injecting Velcade - my experience

by Terrij on Sat Aug 23, 2014 8:22 am

This was the kind of thing I was talking about when I talked about a pump for chemo. My daughter gives herself 2 shots a day of blood thinner to prevent blood clots, so why not chemo?

Unfortunately, Velcade gave her an irregular heart beat, so that med is out. It makes perfect sense for the patient to take control and financial aspects are significant. Also leaving out the travel time and wait time at the doctors or hospital.